Craft Tutorial: Scarf and Hat Organizer

My girls needed a place to put their scarves and hats when they get home from school. So I repurposed some thrifted napkin rings to make a scarf keeper, and added a pocket to store hats.

Here’s how I made my

Scarf and Hat Organizer!

Materials:

• Two contrasting fabrics. You’ll need to cut two large panels plus straps for the rings and for hanging. Here are my dimensions, but you can make it in whatever size you’d like:
  • Two pieces from each fabric, 13x24 inches
  • Four pieces from one fabric, 2x6 inches
  • One piece from one fabric, 12x3 inches
• One piece of interfacing, cut to 11x22 inches (slightly smaller than the fabric panels).
• 4 napkin rings (or more if you like)
• Ruler and something to cut with (rotary cutter/self-healing mat or scissors)
• 4 buttons (one for however many napkin rings you have)
• Not shown: Disappearing ink pen
• Not shown: Needle and thread
• Not shown: Sewing machine and thread

Directions:

Create the straps by (1) pressing them down the middle lengthwise and opening it up again, then (2) fold one edge to the middle crease, then (3) fold the other edge to the middle crease, and (4) folding it down the middle again. Do this for all 4 ring straps and for the long hanging strap.

Then, topstitch along both long edges of all the straps. Set the long one aside.

Wrap one of the short straps around a napkin ring. Sew across the strap to create a loop. Do the same with the rest of the straps and napkin rings.

Position the napkin rings onto the front panel, staggering the top and bottom row a little bit. Then mark their position with a disappearing ink pen. (I think after all this fuss, these were still off-center! Sigh.)

Now we’ll get ready to sew the rings to the panel. First, fold down the ends of the straps about 1/2 an inch towards each other. Then hand sew through all the folds with a needle and thread. Make a few stitches to secure the folds.

Then sew on one of the buttons.

Position the strap back onto the fabric panel where you marked it and sew the strap on, going through the button. Repeat with the other straps and buttons.

Fuse the interfacing onto the other panel, and then pin the two panels right sides together. Leave a turning hole on one side down towards the bottom, starting about six inches up. This way the turning hole will be underneath the pocket, in case it turns out wonky…which happens to me a lot! Sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance, back stitching at the start and stop.

In addition, this is where you’d also pin and sew the hanging strap up top…sorry I did not take a picture of this process, but here is the handle in the finished product. It’s very much like a tote bag handle. But…please see my notes below about the handle.

Trim the seam allowance and the corners and turn right side out. Press the seams, and then fold the bottom end up about 6 inches to form the pocket for the hat and press the fold, matching the side seams.

Here’s where the turning hole is, hidden under the pocket. Of course when I plan to hide it, it looks ok. When I can’t hide it, I have a hard time closing it!

Starting at the bottom corner, sew over all the layers, sewing closed the turning hole.

Sew along the top, then back down the other side and over the pocket, stopping at the bottom corner.

And you’re done!

(Scarves and Hats by Grandma).

Notes:

There are lots of options for this project. You could make it bigger, as mentioned, or you could put rings and pockets on both sides if you’re hanging it in your closet, for example. Plus, the scarf organizer does sag a little bit in the middle, because the fabric isn’t stiff enough even with the interfacing inside. When I make this again, I might do away with the strap and insert a wooden dowel through a casing up top and add a strap to that, or wrap it around a vintage wooden hanger that I have.

Stay warm this winter!

 

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